Rape trial goes ahead for five

This was the clear message given to lawyers involved in a High Court trial where five men are charged with gang rape.

The trial which was to start yesterday will instead start today as the State told the court that the police officers for the voir dire had not met with the prosecutor.

The court was informed by the prosecutor that she would need to be briefed by the police involved in the voir dire.

Defence counsel for fourth accused, Akuila Naco told the court that he was aware of the predicament faced by the prosecutor. He said he had always maintained that the trial would need more than the two weeks because there were five accused.

Mr Naco said there was a judicial conference during the trial and the defence didn't want the matter to be a part-heard so the only step to take would be to vacate the trial date.

Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam said the court would sit on Saturdays and until late on the weekdays to ensure that the trial finished within the set time.

He said the matter was a 2012 case and the court didn't want anymore postponements.